Amsterdam Announces Expanded Ferry Services to Relieve IJ River Congestion

The city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, is set to enhance its ferry services to alleviate congestion on the IJ River. The plan includes introducing larger vessels and increasing the frequency of ferry crossings due to a rise in passenger numbers driven by the growing population in North Amsterdam. Traffic alderwoman Melanie van der Horst from the D66 party emphasized the necessity of expanding services to meet this new demand.

Improvements include the addition of larger ferries, more frequent crossings, and longer operating hours for popular routes like the Distelweg-Pontsteiger service, which will now operate on weekends starting January 1st. However, the initiative faces hurdles, notably a shortage of ferry captains, with GVB actively recruiting to find around 40 new captains over the next several years.

Long-term congestion relief solutions have been a topic of discussion for years. Proposed options include a pedestrian and cyclist tunnel, new metro stations, and permanent bridges. The city has decided to construct two fixed bridges for pedestrians and cyclists: the East Bridge and the West Bridge. The East Bridge, which will connect Hamerkwartier on the north side to Azartplein on the south, is scheduled for completion in 2034. This project had faced delays but recently secured funding with support from both the city and the Amsterdam Transport Region.

Until these bridges are in place, the city will continue to heavily depend on ferry services, as the population and demand for crossings are projected to grow.

Amsterdam Netherlands | Ferries

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